OPERATION SAFE STREETS IS PAYING BIG DIVIDENDS

Cape Girardeau's new police chief didn't waste much time in sending a strong message to criminals: Even petty crime will not be tolerated in Cape Girardeau.

Chief Rick Hetzel deserves praise for his launch of Operation Safe Streets. The no-nonsense program is working, and it is sending a compelling message.

To keep Cape Girardeau's streets safe, police officers have worked overtime in crime-prone areas, cracking down on low-level criminal activity.

In the operation's first three months, 102 charges were filed -- charges that would not normally have been made such as loitering, drinking in public, truancy or even littering. Chief Hetzel has found that when people are arrested for these less-serious offenses in crime-prone areas, many are in possession of drugs or weapons or have a warrant out for their arrest.

The greatest number of arrests -- 11 -- stemmed from possession of marijuana. The second highest was for open-container violations, followed by possession of crack cocaine.

To remain effective, the operation's focus will follow the crime. Currently, the focus isn't limited to one area of town. Officers provide extra attention to Capaha Park and other areas of town where criminal activity is suspected. The department is encouraging community feedback about other areas. The patrols have targeted specific problems in neighborhoods when someone has alerted the department.

So far, community response has been very positive. Area law enforcement officials also feel that criminals are leaving Cape Girardeau with no intent of coming back. Good riddance.

Too often this petty crime can lead to other violations. Those on drugs may be more apt to burglarize a home or steal to support their habit. Wayward truants may be more prone to vandalism or other such crimes. Operation Safe Streets may just prevent many other more serious crimes from ever happening.

Teen-agers and others should be advised that Operation Safe Streets will extend to cruising along Broadway this summer.

Keeping Cape Girardeau's streets safe is an admirable goal. In its first few months, Operation Safe Streets seems to be making progress toward accomplishing that goal.